Alessandra and Stefano welcome 32 guests at their farm (Agricola) in Panton, Vermont, once a month, for an experience that is more than a delicious and authentic Italian dinner. While sitting at the table in their 1850's farm home, you really get to savor the concept of farm to table, or we should say farm-table. It probably helps the fact that the pigs, sheep and chickens are raised across from the farm house with love and compassion and by the same hands that now turn these wholesome products into traditional Italian dishes meant to cuddle your palate and your soul.

THE MEAL

The menu is seasonal and changes every month based on the ingredients that are coming from Agricola Farm or farms close by. Each course is introduced with stories of the origin of the recipes or the special ingredients that are featured. The meat we use comes from animals that were born and raised at the farm and processed by us. We try using everything and respect the nutrient dense food they provide us. During these dinners we get to feed our community and hope you will build strong memories that will go beyond the meal. But our menu is not only about meat! Italian cusine has plenty of options where the vegetables are king and our land is full of wild edible we harvest for our table. Although dishes change every month, the structure is always 3 appetizers, a primo (pasta or rice), a secondo (meat) with a side of vegetables, plus dessert. Everything is made in house: the pasta, the broth used for making risotto, the bread, puff pastry, millefoglie, the sauces ... and of course the salumi (charcuteries). Everything starts from basic wholesome ingredients and goes through slow and exact processes the same way our mothers and grandmothers did back home when we used to prepare with them our holiday meals.

food and people — *preparing for dinner*

ALLERGIES AND FOOD RESTRICTIONS

We ask our guests about their dietary restrictions/allergies when they purchase the tickets and again in our reminder email. We pride ourselves to give everyone the opportunity to have a full experience at our dinner table, but this requires time and intentionality that we cannot improvise the day of the event, so early communication is essential. If you have allergies and restrictions please contact Ale directly ahead of time to check if we can accomodate you (802 777 4392). For example, during some months, it may be easy for us to provide an alternative menu for someone who is low/no gluten and vegetarian, but it may be harder to satisfy a dairy free customer who is also low/no gluten, while the next month it may not be a problem. Texting before buying a ticket is encouraged. If your allergy to gluten is severe, please know that our kitchen is small and flour is flying around. We cannot promise no cross-contamination.

THE FARM

We attend 110 acres that provide nutrition to us, our 180 pigs, 120 sheep and an undefined number of chickens and ducks. There are 6 adults and a child that live and work part time or full time at the farm and you will meet us when you come. In the spring summer and fall we are happy to guide you through a walking tour of our pastures and can share with you the peculiarity of the lives of pigs, chickens and sheep. We suggest you bring a pair of shoes that can get dirty in the mud (no open toes shoes for the tour please; it is not safe). If there is a light rain we will still take you out but if the rain has made puddles the size of small lakes, I am afraid you will see the pastures from afar and will meet the animals through the stories I will tell you while sitting at the tables. In the winter time, all animals take shelter in the barn and I can give you a tour of the barn as long as there is no ice on the way there and there is still light out. Remember that the farm is always open so you can always come back for a tour at another time!

THE FARMSTAND

When you purchase the tickets you also receive a 10% discount on all the meat that we have in the farmstand, and that includes fresh/frozen meat and our cured meat (pancetta, salame, coppa, prosciutto etc.). Remember to bring a check, cash (or you can use VENMO) and a cooler to bring home the goodies. The discount is available for 30 days starting on the day of the event and you can use it as many times as you want at our farmstand.

Contact the host of Agricola Farm Dinner Club